*HP Envy 15 Owners Lounge! PART 2*

The HP recovery discs created their own partions the one time I used them on a 'clean install' of win 7. I was returning the computer and wanted it to be in 'factory condition' plus it saved me time unistalling all my personal stuff by wiping everything. That being said, I was using the same drive that it was originally shipped with.

 

Anyone else have media center problems? Media center will not open, yet media player works just fine.

 

Borderlands people:

Are any of you experiencing missing textures? There are parts in the game where complete walls have a gray color, and it's getting way too annoying.

I was thinking maybe it's a driver issue, but everything seems up to date.

 

Can anybody show me how to do battery test or someone here can do one with 2 cores disabled? Let see if my method increase any battery lif

 

ok, about my problem installing the ssd, I seem to need to "image" my hdd to a usb hdd with acronis true image.
But before that I need to uninstall and/or disable things such as HP hard drive protection, auto defragment and other things.
I looked at v3loc1ty2.0 "out of the box guide" which was excellent but did not mention auto defrag and other things maybe specific to swapping to a ssd, what utilities should I disable?
Also It seems that I should not clone the hdd to the usb but rather create a image of the hdd to the usb hdd from which to boot and copy the image to the ssd I put in.
question is, what tool do I use for this in acronis?

Tools:
Acronis startup recovery manager
create bootable rescue media (can only create a 64mb acronis boot image)
one-click backup
manage acrois secue zone
acronis boot sequence manager

Utilites:
clone disc (seems right, but cannot copy only c: without theother partitions)
Add new disk
acronis drive cleanser
file shredder
system clean-up
convert windows backup
convert acronis backup
mount image
unmoung image
seach settings


Please help me, I am not used to these programs. And I have tried to read as much as possible from this thread already, but maybe I missed things.
As soon as I get this sorted out I will write down a simple tutorial for this so that everyone with my level of knowledge can do the same and stop bugging you!

 

@callecal

I think your making this way more difficult than it needs to be. First of all Windows 7 will recognize your drive as a SSD so you do not need to adjust anything. It knows to turn off defrag etc. and the microsoft driver it will load is the best one for the intel SSD's (actually it's the only one that will work with Trim).

Did you not get the HP recovery discs to boot to the new drive? I noticed in your other post you mentioned hitting F2 to get into the BIOS, on the Envy you hit 'escape' during post to get to BIOS settup options, this includes selecting boot order i.e. DVD first or you can select to go to system recovery which should walk you through installing the recovery discs to get the factory restored system on your new drive (partitions ans all).

 

Well I thought it would be that simple, but as it turn out hp recovery discs dont want to install themselves on the new ssd, probably because it needs to be partitioned and set like the original hdd.
I am thinking of buying a usb cradle to put the ssd in to fix everything before putting it in the laptop if it would make it easier...

 

Or, if I make a clean install from a clean windows7 dvd...but then there will be lots of drivers missing and my laptop might not work properly...I understand you need to copy the files from "SwSetup" because not all files are up on HPs homepage. So I need to copy all files? ~2.5gb Ande do I simply past it into the newly installed windows?

 

It's sounds to me like you're not sure what you want to do. Initially it sounded like you wanted to just 'move' the whole HP installed system to your new SSD drive. If this is what you want then the HP recovery disc method should work for you. When I used it on a machine I was returning to HP I had wiped the original drive with a clean install of Win7, the recovery discs erased and restored everthing back to factory settings, paritions and all. This should be the quickest and easiest way. Call HP Envy support 866-408-5408 and they should be able to walk you through the process. You should note that using this method will use up about 41GB of space on your SSD.

If you have a valid copy of Win7 to do a clean install you can do that also and avoid all the HP 'crapware' and save at least 14GB++ of space by just not having the 'recovery' partition (which is uneeded once you make discs). With this method you may lose the Corel programs that came on the envy which i don't believe can be transfered (I never tried). This method will require you to selectively (manually) reinstall drivers out of the SWsetup folder. It sounds like your not very familiar with this process, it's not difficult but it's much more involved than just 'pasting' the folder as you suggested above.

There are several posts in this thread (or the 2nd gen envy 15 owners lounge here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=450884 ) Some people took the time and effort to sort through which drivers do what, as well as what you don't need. I don't have time to search for a link to this right now, if I come accross it i will post later. Try searching SWsetup in the crappy forum search system.

 

Question for the scientists out there who are familiar with magnesium...would there be any complications in trying to powdercoat the keyboard cover?

 

Not to be offensive, but I don't know why your taking this task on when it sounds like you have no experience installing an OS. Let me make it very simple for you. Just do a fresh install on your ssd drive. If you have a usb dvd drive then just start up the machine hit ESC and then select boot from dvd drive. If not you will need to port windows to a usb drive, instructions Here.

Once you have windows installed go to this page for your drivers. Then run windows update and everything will be like new. If you have any problems along the way just ask. Your just going to have to do it and stop over thing the situation.

 

Thanks, I had asked several times about how do you boot from a USB thumb drive to install a clean Win7 copy and no one answered, as far as I could tell, hehe. With my Desktop it was f8 to get the boot menu which wasn't seeming to work.

 

I posted a NEW COLOR PROFILE for the glossy display on the 2nd gen thread. Here's the link:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5990480&postcount=2644

 

Was there a newer profile posted for the Matte? I'm using "MATTE DISPLAY 100% BRT 6500K 2.2" right now and I like it but always curious.

 

these threads are ridiculous huge.

 

Sorry, I'm packing that one up (matte screen) to return so I didn't update any profiles for it. You can try the new one above and see how it looks, I'm just not sure how to switch back and forth in windows as I use the spyder3 software to change profiles.

 

That's why i was trying to steer him toward using the HP recovery discs. I didn't want to point him to the 'drivers' page because that could cause more problems and questions as not all those drivers are applicable to the i5 model. At least with the SWsetup file that came on the machine you can't really screw anything up to badly.

 

Thanks alot for your answer.
I simply wanted to install windows from the HP recovery dvds, but unfortunately HP recovery does not support a different hdd then the one supplied (or rather, needs to be same size for the right partitioning)
So I would rather need to clone the hdd to usb hdd from which to start after swapping the hdd to the ssd and then clone the usb hdd to the ssd....god, alot of cloning By cloning it I with acronis true image I can resize the partitions to fit the ssd.

But since I am having trouble doing this I am considering booting from a clean windows 7 (that came with my desktop, which is running Linux)
So thanks alot for

 

How fast will intel g1 ssd degrade?

My hd WEI has degraded from 7.6 to 7.5 in one week.

 

Here is a much better explaination than I could ever give you:

http://anandtech.com/storage/showdoc.aspx?i=3631&p=11

 

Anyone know why the multi touch gestures don't work in Photoshop?

 

Also use the USB 2.0 port for the install. USB 3.0 is not supported by the WinPE out of the box (possible loading the NEC drivers disk may work). Hopefully support will be added to Win7 SP1.

 

Not sure if this is the same issue your having or not.....

I went to check if they worked in CS4 and the 2 finger rotate works in 90 degree steps, the scroll and 'tap and drag' works but I can't use the 'hand tool' to drag and rotate an image. This worked fine before the 10.3 driver. Looking at the preferences settings (performance tab) the Open GL graphics settings are all greyed out. In Adobe CS4 help > system info -- it says that 'Open GL drawing' is disabled ?? Anyone know how to enable this ??

P.S. with 'pinch to zoom' I get the 4 way arrows when I place 2 fingers down but it won't change image size.

 

@jjb same here, but the rotate works like pop (got edited) . I also have 10.3 and not open gl , but I thought rotate only worked when open gl is enabled.

 

Sadly, I had to return my 3rd and last Envy this last Saturday. I received it a week ago Monday and it crashed on me 4 times that day alone. Needless to say, the constant stream of badluck from HP is a disappointment. I'm sure I am in the minority, just sucks when it happens to you. To HP's credit, their customer service is not bad to deal with.

Moving on towards a new desktop =D Since I just got this killer deal on a TV. xD

 

The gesture (2 finger) rotate works for me but only 90 degree steps, I think that does not require openGL. The photoshop 'free rotate' (or whatever they call it) only works with openGL (enabled in preferences). That is the hand tool with the arrow above it, to the right of the magnifying glass icon, that's the one that lets you grab a corner and rotate to any angle you want with the image staying intact while it moves. OpenGL is also used for a bunch of other features like photo stiching etc.

According to the Everest system info app the 5830 w/ 10.3 has all versions of openGL, from 1.1 to 3.2, 100% enabled. Since the CS4 preference settings for open GL are greyed out it appears that CS4 does not recognize it as enabled. Not sure where to go to see if there is a 'fix' for this, ATI or Adobe.... Any ideas ??

 

My recent CS experience with HP has been disappointing. They lost my warranty transferring information twice as I was trying to place a repair request for my keyboard (keys are crooked and the touchpad on occasion will creak). So far it looks like the 5th time is the charm on getting the warranty transfer dispute settled and a proper work order finalized. Wish me luck as I send it in for hopefully acceptable repairs.

 

Best of luck to you. Just gotta be nice and talk slowly. =P

 

I say get another replacement and milllllllk for coupons.

 

Hehe, I would. But I already took the route of a new desktop. =\

 

I sent my third Envy i7 back as well due to black screen freeze/crash. I requested a replacement with the same pricing I received plus an upgrade for free and they replied with: "Given the problems with the three HP ENVY 15 orders we have already shipped and one cancellation, it would not be recommended to ship any further of this model."

What kind of crap is that. They must not think they can ship a non-defective Envy 15.

 

Customer support asked if I would give HP another chance when I called to return it. I promptly told them that I already gave them 3 chances.

Sometimes you'll get better service when you drop the hard truth on them.

Give that a try. =X

 

So far it looks like it settled, they are shipping the box tomorrow but I was wondering how long would my Envy be in the depot? I kinda need the thing back in my hands on the 18th. I did risk it once with my dv6500t and I got a quick turn around time of 3-5 days. Since my current problem looks minute, I figured if I send it in during the final weeks of my quarter before spring break that it will be back before it?

 

Can anyone who has installed the ATI 10.3 Preview drivers please check if it shows as digitally signed ??

Do this as follows: Open device manager > display adapters > Right click 'ATI.....HD 5800 series' > properties > 'Diver Details' button

What do you see listed for; 'Provider' and 'Digital Signer' ??

I believe the fact mine is not 'signed' is causing Adobe photoshop not to recognize the video card and openGL capabilities. Need to see if this is a glitch in my install or if it's just the way it is.... + rep for responses

Thanks in advance

 

Has anyone tried BFBC2 on their envy? I am interested if you can play 32man servers at a decent fps.

 

Anyone else have issues with the clickable buttons on the touchpad? Whenever I switch windows or programs, it seems like I often have to double click the buttons to have the click registered. The first click usually does nothing or maybe just makes the window active. Is there a setting that causes this to happen? I would like to be able to use the buttons at will, but it seems annoying that a portion of the clicks seem to go unnoticed.

 

Make sure you have the latest drivers. The early first-gen ones were causing problems.

I had been having similar issues; and in the meantime, while I was looking for a fix, I just started tapping, which I had never liked to do. But after I dove seriously into the extensive Device Settings, I now find tapping the best way to go (especially with the great ChiralMotion scroll-by-tracing-a-circle feature).

 

Good luck! I'm interested in what they can do for your crooked keys, so please keep us posted.

 

Somehow I've lost that option. I can still do it but its not showing up as an option. I had enabled Chiral on my account, and then my partner wanted thier own user account. Set them up with one and when I went into the control panel for the pad the choice isn't there. On my user account the choice doesn't show either but the setting has stayed enabled, go figure.

 

ITS awesome with 1080p screennnnn

 

i have dual G1 ssds in a raid 0 and I am running perfect disk 10's consolidate free space in stealth mode to combat the lack of trim.

just in case that doesn't keep the drives up to speed, i created a system image after I got my configuration just right, and put it on my nas.

 

Oh, and just to update. Both of the Envy 15's I received in 160gb SSD + 250 5400RPM configuration came with G1 SSDs.

 

It's a little Byzantine... Try opening Mouse Properties (e.g. from the control panel); Device Settings tab... then hit the Settings button. Expand the "Scrolling" branch to "One-Finger Scrolling", then check the "Enable vertical scrolling" box, then the "ChiralMotion scrolling" box.

 

Ok, stupid question: After my last factory restore I forgot what I had done to make sure every program is rendered in native resolution. Right now certain programs are rendered in lower (blurrier) resolutions (apparently to keep the text from getting tiny?)

hep!

 

I gave that a try but no option. It seems thats the same as going to it using the tray icon. Anyway as I said its working on my main account its just not showing as an option in mine or my partners options



EDIT: Ouch, didn't realize how big the origonal cap was. Sorry

 

Very odd! I assume you have the latest drivers/software. I remember with my first 1st-gen machine, I had to get them from the HP site...

 

Well once I knew the options name and did just a quick search of my registry and was finding keys for it. I can't recall if I ran the updated drivers from the Envy Driver thread but if I did maybe thats when it disappeared but it left the registry keys so the option still works. Got me what the issue is. Fortunately its just a bit of weirdness and noting serious LOL

 

It's so easy I almost forgot, lol.

Right click desktop > Screen resolution > Make text ...... larger or smaller > Smaller - 100% (default).

 

I find 125% is also pretty good. Occasionally I'll come across an app or something that won't display right at that setting but then I just drop it to 100% till I'm done.

 

Regarding the SSD+HDD option...if I were to store music/movies on the HDD, would opening it up be slower than if it were on the SSD, therefore diminishing the point of having the SSD in the first place? Or does it make no difference where it's stored?